The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-02-16

the act was % 297. and the number of pensions
actually allowed-20, 4S5-costing. IL is report
ed, for the first year sl,si7 300. instead OF s40.
OOO the estimated expense for that period.
"A law was passed in 1858 for the benefit of
the surviving widows OF revolutionary soldiers
who were married after Jan. l. 1900. IL was
tiinated that they numbered 800 at the time OF
the passage Of the act but the number OF pen
sions allowed was g. ~. and the amount paid
Tor such pensions during the first year of the
operation OF the act SlSO,OOO instead OF
5 1900, AS had been estimated. / have made
no search for othor illustrations, and the above,
being at hand, are given intending 10 show
that estimates cannot be relied upon in such
eases.
If none should be pensioned under this bill
except those utterly unable to work, L am sat
ished that the cost stated in the estimate re-
ferred 70 would be many times multiplied, and
with constant increase from year 10 year and
il those partially unable TO earn their support
should be admitted to the privileges of this BILL
the palpable increase OF expense would be al
most appalling.
Il think it may DO said that at the close of the
war Of the rebellion every Northern State and
great majority of Northern counties aud cities
We're burdened with taxation on account OF the
large b)unties paid our soldiers and the bond
ed debt thereby created still constitutes large
item in the account of the tax-gatherer against
the people. Federal taxation, no less borne by
the people than that directly levied
upon their property is, still maintained at the
rate made necessary by the exigencies OF war
IL this Lill should become law, with its ire
mendous addition TO our previous obligations, 1
am thoroughly convinced that further efforts TO
reduce the Federal revenue and restore some
part OF it to our people will and perhaps should
be seriously questioned.
1t has constantly been a cause of pride and
congratdlation to the American citizen that his
country is not put 10 the charge Of maintaining
a large standing army in time OF peace. Yet
we are now living under war tax which has
been tolerated in peaceful times to meet the
obligations incurred in war. But for years past,
in all parts OF the country, the demand for the
reduction OF the burdens Of taxation upon our
labor and production has increased in volume
and urgency.
Il am not willing 70 approve q measure pre-
senting the objections to which this bill is SUBJ
Ject, and which, moreover, will have the effect
OF Disappointing the expectation of the people
and their desire and hope for relief from war
taxation in time OF peace. In my last annual
message the following language was used:
Every patriotic heart responds TO II tender
consideration for those who, having served their
country long and well, are reduced to destitu-
tion and dependence, not as an incident of their
service, but with advancing age or through sick
ness or misfortune. We are all tempted by the
contemplation of such condition to supply re-
lief, and are often impatient of the limitations
Of public duty. Yielding TO no one in the desire
to indulge this feeling of consideration, cannot
rid myself of the conviction that if these ex-
soldiers are TO be relieved they and'their cause
are entitled TO the benefit of an enactment UNI
der which relief may be claimed as a right,
and that such relief should be granted under
the sanction Of law, not in evasion OF it; nor
should such worthy objects Of care, all equally
entitled, be RENTED to the unequal operation
of sympathy or of the tender mercies of social
and political influence, with their unjust dis
examinations
Il do not think that the objects, the condi-
tions and the limitations thus suggested are
contained in the bill under consideration.
l adhere TO the sentiments thus heretofore
expressed But the evil threatened by this
bin is in my opinion such that charged
with u great responsibility in behalf of
the people, l can not do otherwise than TO
bring to the consideration OF this measure my
best efforts of thought and Judgment, and per-
form my con stitutional duty il relation thereto
regardless of all consequences, except such as
appear TO me 10 be related 20 the best and high
est interests OF the country.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Washington, Feb. II, 1887. ."